Russian public think USA is No.1 enemy – poll

Published time: October 09, 2014

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow (RIA Novosti / Iliya Pitalev)

The overwhelming majority of Russians think the US is their main enemy, and more than half name China as Russia’s main friend, a recent poll shows.

According to the research conducted by the influential Russian VTSIOM center, the number of Russians who think that USA is their country’s main foe grew from 25 percent in 2008 to 73 percent currently. Ukraine ranked second with 32 percent, compared to 21 percent in 2008.
Other countries Russians perceive as hostile are Germany and European Union in general, 10percent, Great Britain 9 percent, Poland 6 percent, Canada 3 percent and France 3 percent.
Sociologists said that Russian people’s opinion on the subject had become firmer, the share of undecided fell from 44 percent in 2008 to just 15 percent today. 

As for friendly countries, 51 percent of Russians see China as their main geopolitical ally, double the 23 percent in 2008. Belarus was second with 32 percent and Kazakhstan third with 20 percent.
India, Argentina and Brazil were also put in the “friends” list. Researchers saw a sharp change in Russians’ attitude to Germany, only 1 percent of those responding see it as Russia’s friend and ally, compared to 17 percent in 2008. 

The poll was conducted in late September in 130 cities and villages in 42 Russian regions.